YAS MARINA, ABU DHABI – The 2021 Formula 1 season culminated in a dramatic and divisive finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a race now etched in history as one of the sport’s most chaotic and controversial title deciders. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing clinched his first Drivers’ Championship, edging out Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in a heart-stopping final lap that sparked heated debates among fans, teams, and officials.
The stage was set for an epic showdown as Hamilton and Verstappen entered the race level on points at 369.5 each, a rare occurrence in F1’s storied history. Hamilton dominated much of the race, seizing the lead on the opening lap and maintaining a commanding gap, despite Red Bull’s protests over an alleged advantage gained by Hamilton cutting Turn 7. Verstappen, struggling to close a gap exceeding 10 seconds, relied on strategic moves, including a pit stop for fresh tires during a Virtual Safety Car period triggered by Antonio Giovinazzi’s stranded car.
The race’s turning point came on lap 53 of 58 when Nicholas Latifi’s crash at Turn 14 prompted a Safety Car. With Hamilton opting to stay out to preserve track position and Verstappen pitting for soft tires, the stage was set for a dramatic restart. However, controversy erupted over race control’s handling of the Safety Car procedure. Initially, lapped cars were told they could not overtake, but on the penultimate lap, race director Michael Masi allowed only the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves. The Safety Car then returned to the pits a lap earlier than standard procedure, setting up a one-lap sprint to decide the championship.
Verstappen, on fresher tires, overtook Hamilton on the final lap to secure the race and the title. The decision to selectively unlap cars and restart the race immediately drew fierce criticism from Mercedes, who argued it violated FIA regulations, which typically require a full lap after unlapping before resuming racing. Mercedes’ protests were dismissed by the stewards, and Verstappen was confirmed as the 2021 champion, but the fallout left the F1 community divided.
The controversy centered on whether Masi’s decisions unfairly favored Verstappen, robbing Hamilton of a record eighth title. Fans and pundits debated the balance between sporting integrity and the desire for a dramatic finale, with some calling the race a “farce” manipulated for entertainment. Others argued Verstappen’s aggressive strategy and tire advantage would have likely secured the win regardless, given the circumstances.The FIA later acknowledged human error in the race control decisions but upheld the result, prompting calls for clearer regulations and more consistent officiating. The incident led to Masi’s removal as race director and spurred reforms in F1’s governance. The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains a polarizing chapter, celebrated for its intensity but scrutinized for its handling, ensuring its place as one of F1’s most unforgettable title showdowns.
